Sheet metal flanging apparatus



May 23, 1939. c. R. SCHLICHT SHEET METAL FLANGIfiG APPARATUS Fi led June 22, 1938 4 sheets sheet 1 May 23, 1939. c. R. SC IHLICHT SHEET METAL FLANGI-NG APPARATUS Filed Jun e 22, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ihk 1/ H m: 3

May 23, 1939. c. R. SCHLlCH-T SHEEI METAL FLANGING APPARATUS Filed June 22, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ffiyefitar Ma. Ma: z wmwm' y R. SCHLICHT 2,159,771

SHEET METAL FLANGING APPARATUS Filed June 22, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheei 4 i :iPet'enied May 23, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to a novel and improved sheet metal flanging apparatus.

One of the main objects of this invention is to provide an apparatus for flanging sheet metal adapted for roofing purposes, whereby a continuous sheet of metai can be readily flanged directly 9 at the building or place where the same is to be applied; in order that the sheet metal can be conveniently hauled in the original rolled form from the place of supply to the job where it is 0 {means is mounted on a vehicle havin porting body, such as a motor truck, or a trailer or the like, so that the vehicle can be used to transport the sheet metal in its original rolls from the supply place to the job; and said vehicle then also provides the traveling and drawing movement, and either serves to supply the motive power or may have means hitched thereto for [supplying such power, for flanging the sheets by drawing them thru the flanging means, which can be run in a continuous web, then cut in correct lengths, and returned with said vehicle to the building to be applied. Y Another object of this invention is to provide such a fianging apparatus wherein the flanging mechanism can be mounted on the truck so that it will automatically swing and tilt itself into the right position, and the pull on the sheet is straight even though the truck is not driven parallel with the pull; and whereby the flanged sheet can be tilted and run directly toward the ground, to be cut into desired lengths, and carried back a by the truck on its return travel to the building. Another object of this invention is to provide an edge flanging machine which is built up chiefly Z of standard inexpensive parts, so as to provide an economical construction. e

Another object of this invention is to provide in such a flanging apparatus a flattening device for compressing the cross-seam which interconnee-ts the ends of two rolls, and wherein the forming members are yieldably mounted, so that the fcross-seam can be readily passed therethru and flanged, in order that the rolls can; be connected atthe ends and run in a continuous sheet thru the machine.

Another object is to provide in such an edge flanging apparatus an improved clamping device to be clamped onto the end. of the preformed sheet, in drawing the sheet thru the edge flanging mechanism.

- These and various other objects and advantages are attained with thisinvention, as will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which thisinvention is illustrated in its preferred form; it being understood that various other arrangements and. forms of construction may be resorted to for carrying out the objects and purposes of this invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of this invention in its preferred form, shewing the flanging mechanism mounted on a motor truck andthe clamping mechanism secured to astationary post adjacent a building whichis being covered.

i Fig. 2 is a plan view of the clamping mechanism. 1

Fig. 3 is an elevaticnal view thereof, taken along line 3-4 ofFig. 2, showing the flanged sheet metal in section.

.Fig. =4"is an enlarged sectional view, taken on line l4' of Fig. 1, showing the flanges joined but beioret'he seaming operation. a

-Fig 5 is a side elevational view of the flanging mechanism? r 'Figl'fi is an enlarged vertical sectional view, taken on line 6 -6 of Fig. 5, illustrating the crossseam flattening device.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, taken on line 7-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 shows the ends of the two rolls bent to be interconnected and thereafter flattened by said flattening device.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the flanging mechanism, taken on lines-Q9 of Fig. 5.

Figs. 10, 11, and 12, are enlarged cross sectional views taken on lines lll|0, I l-Il-, and l2-.-l2 of Fig.5, respectively.

Figs. s 13 and 14 are further enlarged cross sectional views, takenon lines |3-.l3 and I l-l4 of Fig. 5, respectively, illustrating the forming rollers. a

=W=ith the formerly known flangi-ng mechanism and apparatus the sheets of metal were custom.- arily preformed in the shop and cut to the required length for use, and the sheet lengths were then transported thru a considerable distance to the building or structure where they were to be applied. The sheets with their upturned flanges became bulky for their transport, and due to their flanges had to be laid straight and placed one upon the other, and were cut to the exact length required.

With this novel apparatus which forms the subject matter of the present invention I am enabled to haul the sheet metal in its original compact roll form directly to the job and there preform the sheet metal at the job, and cut the sheet in the proper lengths to the exact amount required where they are directly applied to the building. This apparatus includes the flanging or preforming mechanism 20 and the clamping mechanism 2|, along with a self-propelling vehicle 22, such as a motor truck, whereon either the flanging mechanism or the clamping mechanism may be mounted, while the other one of these two mechanism is secured to a stationary object 23, such as a post, or other similar stationary object located near the building, on the roof 24 of which the sheets of metal 25 are being applied. In Fig. 1 the flanging mechanism 20 is shown mounted on the truck 22, and the clamping mechanism 2| is secured to the post 23, and as the truck is driven the sheet unrolls from the roll 26 carried on a support 21 and passes thru the flanging apparatus to have its edges preformed to the desired shape, as indicated in Fig, 3. The truck is also utilized for bringing the other required rolls 26' of sheet metal to the building 24 to be applied.

The clamping device 2| for clamping and holding the end of the sheet metal comprises a pair of beams 3| and 32 which are connected at one end by hinge means 33 so as to be swingable apart, as indicated in Fig. 3, and the two ends of the pair of beams are provided with pockets or notches 34 and 35 to accommodate the edge flanges 36 and 31 of the sheets 25. A bolt 38 is extended thru the ends of the beams, opposite hinge 33, for forcing the beams tightly together upon the end of the sheet and hold it in position. A pair of U-bolts 39 are secured in the intermediate parts of the beams, and these are adapted to be fastened to a stationary object, or to the building, by the use of a chain or the like.

In theform of flanges provided with this flanging mechanism disclosed herein, the flange 36 has a main portion which extends vertically and has an edge portion 36 further bent horizontally inwardly from the main portion; while the opposite flange 31 extends first vertically up- Wards and has an intermediate portion 31' extending therefrom horizontally outward, and the edge portion 31" extends therefrom vertically downwards, adapted to overlap flange 36' and to be engaged around it in closing the seam.

In the preferred form of flanging apparatus, as illustrated in this application, the flanging machine or mechanism 20 is preferably mounted on the truck and moves therewith, while the clamping device 2| is secured to the stationary object to hold the end of a sheet stationary. The flanging mechanism is therefore arranged to be mounted so as to have vertical tilting and horizontal swinging movement relative to the truck, so that the pull thru the sheet will be even and straight during the flanging operation, although the truck is not traveling in a straight line or parallel to the sheet. The construction comprises frame means, which preferably includes a pair of posts or standards 4|, which are steadied by brace bars 42 thereon, both being mounted on the rear part of the truck or on a platform 43 detachably secured on the truck, as by means of bolts 44. A rectangular frame 45 is mounted by pivot means 46 between said posts, adapted to be tilted up and down or swung in a vertical plane therein; and a smaller rectangular frame 41 is mounted within said frame 45, by Vertical pivot means 48, to swing sideways or in a horizontal plane therein.

These standards 4| and the members of frames 45 and 41 can be economically made by the use of tubular bars such as standard pipe lengths and joints, as indicated in the drawings. Said frame 41 carries a pair of tubular bars or main bars 49 at its lower corners which extend longitudinally for the length of the fianging machine, and upon their forward ends they carry the supporting means 2'! bearing the roll 26 of sheet metal to be flanged. Said supporting means includes a pair of uprights 5i arising from bars 49 and having a cross bar 52 at the top whereon roll 26 is placed so as to unroll.

Referring to Figs. 9, 10, and 11, the means for forming the flanges 35 and 31 comprises two pair of spaced guide members mounted at the two edge portions of the sheet, each including an upper angle plate 53 attached to the upper part of a lower angle plate 54, providing a horizontal guideway 55 therebetween, adapted to guide and steady the edge portions of the traveling sheet. The angle plates 54 are secured on cross bars 56 mounted on supporting bars 5 which extend longitudinally of the flanging machine and are supported at their ends by a pair of yoke members 58 mounted on the main supporting bars .49, as best shown in Fig. 6, and said bars 51 are connected at their intermediate parts by bracket arms 59 to frame 41.

As best shown in Fig. 11, the primary flanging means comprises a plurality of guiding and steadying members, including spaced intermediate upper and lower T-bars 6i and 62 and outer upper and lower L-bars 53 and 64, between which the sheet travels, the upper bars being supported by cross-plate 65 mounted on frame 4'5, and the lower bars on a cross-plate 65 mounted on bars 51. A brace plate 65 is secured on the ends of the upper T-bars 5| and on one L-bar 53.

The L-bars are positioned a short distance from the edges of the sheet just suflicient to allow for the primary vertical bending of the flanges. A pair of arms or bars (5'! are mounted adjacent the outward sides of L-bars 63 and 54 and extend at an incline or slant upwardly rearwardly from bars 51, thereby effecting the primary upward bending of the flanges 36 and 31 of the sheet against the outward sides of the upper L-bars 63.

As shown in Fig. 12, two rollers 68 are mounted by two shafts 69 on cross-plate 66 and include each a main upper cylindrical portion whereby the flange is turned vertically, and a lower supporting disc portion 58, whereon the edge part of the sheet is supported, thereby completing the first part of the flanging operation.

A roller H is mounted on a shaft '52 extending from a plate 73 which is mounted by slot and bolt means 174 on a bracket 15 secured on one bar 51. Said roller engages the outer portion of flange 3'! to turn it horizontally upon the upper angle portion of an L-bar 15 supported by means 11 upon bar 51. Resilient means 18 is connected to bracket 15 and to member 73 to hold roller H firmly upon the horizontal flange portion, but member 18 permits yielding movement of the roller H to enable the sheet with its cross-seam to pass therethru. This provides the intermediate step of thefianging operation .onthis flan e 31.

side of the sheet. supporting roller 8I mounted on a shaft 82- supi ported on a bracket 83 supported on beam BLwsaid As best shown in Fig. 14, the final flanging means includes two sets of rollers, one at each One of the sets includes a roller supporting the edge part of thesheet there on, and including a disc portion 84 engaging the outer side of flange 31 and having the horizontal 1 portion 3! resting thereon. A roller85 is mount- 3 ed by a shaft Mon at supporting sleeve which is carried by api-vot member 88 in the upper forked part 89 of bracket 83 and it has a peripheral groove 90 adapted to engage theupper inward edge of flange .31 to hold it in position on 84. Means 91 is provided between bracket portion 88 and the supporting sleeve 81, to enable yielding of roller 85 for passageof a crossseamv A roller .82 is mounted by shaft .93 on bracket 83 for turning down the edge portion 31" of the flange vertically at the outer side of the disc 84 of the roller. 81. The other set of finishing rollers comprise a split roller including a lower supporting. flange portion 95 and an upper flange portion 96 seated thereon by its hub portion 97, the same providing a peripheral groove therebetween and being mounted by a shaft 98 upon bar '51, a spring being preferably provided upon the shaft 38 to enable lip-per .part 86 i with hub 91 to yield and move upward from the lower part 85 for letting the cross-seam pass so i l flange portion 38' is thus formed between roller flange 35.

therethru. A roller I08 is mounted on a shaft I01 supported on a bracket I02 mounted on bar 51; while a spring I03 is provided between the bracket I02 and a collar I04 on shaft .IOI, adapted to let shaft I01 yield in a slot I05 provided in bracket )2, thereby enabling the roller I00 to yield and accommodate the passing of the cross-seam thru this set of rollers. The upper I00 and the upper roller part 96 to complete the the roll of sheet metal, The opposite ends of said beams I01 and I08 have a lever Iii pivotallyconnected on one of the as by a pivot pin I12, said lever having a roller 3 thereon which engages upon a cam or wedge portion I provided on the other beam 191, so that swinging of the lever I I I will enable forcing beam I01 down onto beam I88 and flatten the cross-seam 'therebetween. The beamscan be separated and the supporting shaft IIIl can be swung on the upright 51 so as to bring the shaft and the beams from the full line position shown in Fig. 5 to the dotted line position indicated, in order to place the flattening device out oftthe way. The beams can likewise be moved forwardly and backwardly on bar H 0, sons to place the beams in the exact position where the bent ends I06 015 two rolls have been interconnected and are located when the truck is stoppedtherefor.

I claim:

1. In the art of hanging the edges of elongated metal sheets for the covering of building andthe like, a ha ing device for hanging the sheet as it passes thru the device from a supply of sheet metal, and a device adapted to be secured to the flanged end of the sheet which extends from the flanging device, one of said devices being moved away from the other to effect a drawing of the metal sheet material thru the hanging device for flanging its edges.

2; The subject matter set forth in claim 1, wherein apparatus includes a carriage carrying said hanging device thereon and also carrying other means adjacent thereto for supporting asupply of sheet metal as it is drawn thru the flanging device, and either said carriage or else the device with the sheet-end is retained stationary while the other is being moved away therefrom in the fianging operation.

. v.3. A sheet metal edge flanging apparatus comprising means to be secured to the end of a sheet of metal whereby to retain said end stationary, and movable means including means for fianging the edges of metal sheets and also means for supporting a supply of sheet metal adjacent said fianging means to pass therethru, whereby the moving of said fianging means and said supporting means away from said stationary sheet-end will efiect the drawing of the sheet thru the flanging means and the flanging of the sheet thereby.

4. Asheet-metal flanging apparatus comprising means to be secured to the free end of a roll of sheet metal and adapted to fasten said end to a stationary object, movable carrier means having means mounted thereon for flanging the edges of the metal sheet, and means on said carrier means for supporting a roll of sheet metal adjacent the flanging means to be drawn therethru, whereby the moving of said carrier means and roll away from said stationary end, will cause the unrolling of the roll and the drawing of the sheet thru the flanging means and. the fianging of the edges of said sheet thereby.

5. A- sheet metal .fianging apparatus comprising a fianging device for flanging the opposite edges of sheet metal and provided with means for flattening a cross-seam produced by the interconnected bent ends of two rolls, a device to be secured to the flanged end of a sheet, means for mounting one of said devices on a vehicle, and

means for securing the other of the said devices to a stationary object, whereby the sheet metal can be hauled in rolls to the job, and flanged by drawing it thru the hanging device and the crossseams of joined sheet ends can be flattened to facilitate flanging in a continuous strip all the sheet metal that is required on the job.

6. A sheet metal hanging apparatus comprising a device for flanging the edges of sheet metal and being provided with means for flattening a cross-seam of interconnected sheet ends, a clamping device for clamping one end of the flanged sheet, a movable support having one of said devices adjustabiy mounted thereon and being adapted to carry a roll of sheet metal to be flanged on the job, and means for securing-the other of said devices to a stationary object, whereby the sheet metal is flanged by drawing it thru the flanging device and .can be hauled in rolls to the job, and the cross-seams of joined sheet ends can be flattened, to facilitate hanging at the job the entire amount of sheet metal required on that job.

7. A sheet metal flanging apparatus comprising a hanging device for hanging the edges of sheet metal for roofing purposes, a device to be secured to the flanged end of the sheet, for securing said end to a stationary object, andsupporting means for mounting the hanging device on a vehicle so that it caniturn and tilt thereon, whereby the traveling of the supporting'means with the vehicle can be utilized to flange the sheet metal and locate it on the ground, and the flanging device will automatically move into the right position on said supporting means.

8. A sheet metal flanging apparatus comprising a flanging device for flanging the opposite edges of sheet metal for roofing purposes, frame means for supporting said flanging device and whereby it is mountable on a vehicle to tilt and to swing thereon, a securing device for engaging the end of the preformed sheet metal and for securing it to a stationary object, whereby the moving of the vehicle with said frame means is utilized to flange the sheet metal and the flanging device will automatically adjust itself on the frame means to produce a straight pull on the sheet of metal, and the rolls of sheet metal can be hauled to the job where the exact amount required can be flanged for use.

9. The subject matter set forth in claim 8, wherein the flanging device has a flattening device adjustably mounted thereon and extendible across the sheet for flattening the cross-seam provided by the interconnected bent ends of two rolls.

10. A sheet metal flanging apparatus comprising a machine for flanging the opposite edge portions of sheet metal, to make said portions interconnectable for roofing purposes, movable frame means whereon said machine is secured and is provided with means to enable tilting and swinging of the machine relative thereto, means to be secured to the free end of the sheet, and means on the frame means for supporting a roll of sheet metal to have its edges flanged by being drawn thru the machine, whereby the free end of a roll of sheet metal can be fastened to a stationary object and the frame means with the flanging machine driven away from the object for flanging the sheet metal out on that job.

11. In a sheet metal flanging apparatus, frame means provided with means thereon to support a roll of sheet metal in position for unrolling, guiding means on the frame means to guide and steady the sheets, slanting bars on the frame means positioned tilted at the edge parts of the plane of travel of the sheet for producing a primary bend on the edge portions, roller means to complete the primary vertical bending of the flanges, intermediate bending means to bend a part of one vertical flange horizontally, and final flanging rollers including rollers to further bend the outer part of the other vertical flange horizontally, adapting adjoining sheets to have their flanges interconnected and seamed for roofing purposes.

12. In a sheet metal flanging apparatus, a flanging machine comprising frame means whereby said machine is supported, spaced guide members thereon for guiding and steadying the sheet at both edges, slantingv bars for primarily tilting the opposite edges, roller means at both edges to complete the primary flanging step and turn the edges vertically, intermediate bending means including roller means for turning the outer part of one vertical flange horizontally and a double set of final flangingrollers, one set including cooperating rollers for turning the outer edge of said horizontal flange vertically, forming a channel portion, and the other set including cooperating rollers for turning the outer edge of the other vertical flange horizontally inwardly, thereby adapting the flanges of adjoining sheets to be interengaged and seamed in laying the same.

13. In a sheet metal flanging apparatus, a flanging machine comprising a frame whereby said machine is swingably and tiltably supported, means on the frame for supporting a roll of sheet metal to be flanged, spaced guide plates for guiding the sheet and steadying it at both edges, slanting bars beyond said guide plates for primarily turning the opposite edges of the sheet, means including a pair of rollers arranged to support the edge portions of the sheet and to direct the turned edges vertically, intermediate bending means including a roller for turning the outer part of one vertical flange horizontally outwardly, and a double set of final flanging rollers, one set including a supporting roller and a tilted roller with grooved periphery bearing against the inner edge of the flange, also a roller for turning the outer portion of the horizontal flange vertically, and the other set of rollers including a roller with a channeled periphery and a cooperating roller acting in said channel to bend the outer portion of the vertical flange horizontally inwardly, thereby adapting the flanged edges of adjoining sheets to be interconnected.

14. The subject matter set forth in claim 13, wherein several of the rollers are mounted to be automatically adjustable to accommodate sheet metal with cross-seams.

15. In a sheet metal flanging apparatus, a flanging machine comprising a supporting frame and means thereon for supporting a roll of sheet metal, means on the frame for flanging both side edges of the sheet, said means including resilient-- ly mounted flange forming means to facilitate passage therethru of sheets having their adjoining ends connected by a cross-seam, and means on the frame adapted to extend across the sheet between said roll supporting means and said flanging means, operable for flattening said crossseams.

16. In a sheet metal flanging apparatus, a flanging machine comprising a supporting frame, means on the frame including an upright for supporting a roll of sheet metal, means on the frame for flanging the edges of the sheet metal and including flange forming means automatically adjustable to facilitate passage therethru of sheet ends connected by a cross-seam, and seam flattening means including a rod mounted on said upright and a pair of cooperating bar members extending across the sheet and movable longitudinally on said rod to the cross-seam, adapted to clasp the cross-seam therebetween for compressing the same.

17. The subject matter set forth in claim 16, wherein said flattening means includes a pair of beams hinged together on the'rod and having a lever for forcing said beams together on the cross-seam to compress the same, said beams being separable and swingable with said rod on the frame out of the way.

18. In an apparatus for flanging the edges of sheet metal, a device for clamping the end of the flanged sheet including a pair of cross-beams hingedly connected at one end, there being pockets provided between the two ends of the beams for receiving the edge flanges of the sheet, and means on the pair of beams for drawing them together to clamp the sheet therebetween.

19. In an apparatus for flanging the edges of sheet metal, a device for clamping one end of the sheet including a pair of cross-beams and hinge means connecting them at one end, there being cut-out portions to provide a pair of peck-- ets at the two ends of the beamsto accommodate the edge flanges of the sheet, means extendhinge and said centrally connected means coning thru the beam ends opposite the hinge means sists of a. pair of U-bolts, one on each beam, and for forcing them together on the sheet, and the means for drawing or forcing the beams tomeans centrally of the beams whereby to secure gether consists of a bolt, thereby providing an 5. them to a stationary object. economical but strong and effective sheet clamp- 5 :20.The subject matter set forth in claim 19, ing device.

wherein the hinge means consists of an ordinary CARL R. SCHLICHT. 

